Author
Interview
- Let's get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
- Where are you from?
The
Greatest state there is! Texas! I was born in Humble but raised in Llano, Texas
until I married my best friend at 17, then we moved to his hometown up the
road, San Saba, Texas.
- A little about yourself
I'm a Native Texan, born and
raised close to the heart of the great Lone Star State. I was born in January
of ‘89 and was able to grow up during a great time. I honestly don’t consider
myself a Millennial, and really dislike that title. I'm a part-time
secretary and a full-time mother and wife, as well as a Lupus Warrior.
Having Lupus means living my
life indoors, and the sun is my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I want to
leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say,
“yeah, my mom did that!”
Thanks to the encouragement
of friends and family, I found a passion for writing paranormal romance books.
Anything in the realm of fantasy usually suits my novels and tends to be able
to reach a large audience in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me
in the most unexpected times and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me
nonstop until I sit down and write it out.
I like to explore new types
of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen, for example. I enjoy creating all
the facets of their own worlds, such as in A Sandman’s Forbidden Love.
God has blessed me with a
success that I never imagined was possible, which allows me the freedom to
explore and create with intense focus in paranormal fiction. Now, I know
Shifters aren’t real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of
my focus and research. I will often sit on the computer doing extensive
research on both Sandmen and Angels, trying to learn as much as possible about
them.
In addition to fiction, I
create Art Journals that are cross-generational from thirteen to ninety years
young. My goal, with these types of books, is to reach people who need that
extra encouragement and quiet reflective stillness that journaling can bring
into their lives.
- When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote my
first book in 2016, I wrote A Sandman’s Forbidden Love and Grimm Love at the
same time, completing them both in a month’s time. I was pretty depressed with
what I had accomplished in my life up to that point, aside from being a
mom and wife, which I love and am grateful for in this life. Family is
everything to me. I had felt like I wasn’t someone they could be proud of or
worth bragging about? I know that sounds silly but my books gave me something
tangible to point to.
- What inspired you to write your first book?
Like I
mentioned before, I have Lupus and have had it since I was five years old. When
I first started writing A Sandman’s Forbidden Love, I was very ill. I could
barely stand much less stay awake during the day because the fatigue was so
strong. I had become bored with Netflix binging and I had these same dreams
plaguing me over and over, again and again, nightly. So I decided to put
fingers to a keyboard and start typing it out, before I knew it in a month’s
time I had two rough drafts of books completed and ready for an editor.
- To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
I wish! A
Sandman’s Forbidden Love takes place in another realm, two actually that are
created from my own mind. Grimm Love takes place mostly in Ouray, Colorado and
The Child with Silver Eyes takes place in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. I had to do
quite a bit of research online and even a few people I met through the Internet
to make sure I was pretty accurate with my small mountainside towns.
- Who designed the covers & edits?
Rachel
Olson from No Sweat Graphics has done all my covers except Throne of Storms
& Ashes, which I won from Liz Himsworth at LKO Designs. My Editor is
Suzette from My Write Hand VA, she’s the gal I go with these days when it comes
to editing my books.
- Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
That’s hard
to answer because I love so many Indie authors and the way they uniquely write
their stories. Elisa Amore is my favorite author with her series The Touched
Saga. I love the original and new spin she put on death angels and forbidden
love, she is an inspiration to me and so many other Indie Authors out there.
- Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Suzette
and Rachel have been with me for years now and encourages me, they helped me
whenever my career was threatened to be pulled apart into nothing.
- Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do.
I love writing; it’s a passion of mine that I enjoy thoroughly. I hope one day
it will be all I do but until then I appreciate that I am able to do it at all.
- If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
It depends
on which book of mine we are talking about… The Child With Silver Eyes, I would
love for Jason Momoa to play the lead man, Hashke (pronounced Ash*Ke)
A.K.A. Ash Stormcloud.
- Do you have any hobbies?
Art is a
hobby of mine, it led me to create 2 published art journals, The Follow Art
Journal Series.
What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Anything
supernatural, the whole paranormal fascinates me to no end. I enjoy other shows
like The Walking Dead, The Masked Singer, NCIS, Coroner, The Good Witch, Virgin
River, and V Wars, Prodigal Son, Criminal Minds and so on...
- Favorite foods, colors, music?
Chinese
food and wings! My favorite color is blue/green and I love Christian music by
Hollyn, Casting Crowns, For King and Country, Mandisa and TobyMac.
- You only have 24 hours to live, how would you spend that time?
I would
spend it whit my husband and kiddos, fishing and camping and watching movies
together. I would want to make as many memories as possible with them.
Kristen is your simple introverted girl, except for the fact that she suffers from Lupus. She has a simple life with a simple routine and that's how she likes it. Or so she thought... Derek is a workaholic businessman and is extremely focused on the family business, but his family harbors a secret.
At the bidding of his family to joyride on the way back from a business trip in Texas, he stumbles across the geeky and adorable Kristen wrapped up in southern grace. At a bar in a small town, something draws him towards her direction.
Is love at first sight real or will her own secret turn him away?
**Only 99 cents!**
I'm a Native Texan, born and raised close to the heart of the great Lone Star state. I am 31 years old, and I was born in January of 89' and got to grow up during a great time. I honestly don't consider myself a Millennial, and really hate that title. Also I'm a part-time working secretary and a full-time mother/housewife, as well as a Lupus Warrior.
Having Lupus, means a life of inside living, and the sun is known as my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I wanted to leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say, yeah my mom did that.
Thanks to the encouragement of friends and family, I found a passion in writing paranormal romance books. Anything fantasy usually suits my novels and I tend to be able to reach anyone in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me in the most unexpected time and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me non-stop until I get my rear up and write it out.
I like to explore new types of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen for example. I really wanted to give them their own world, such as A Sandman's Forbidden Love.
God has granted me success that I never imagined was possible., which led me to my obsession with the paranormal. Now, I know shifters aren't real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of my obsession, I will sit on the computer doing extensive research on both Sandmen and Angels trying to get my facts straight.
Then, on the side, I create Art Journals that can be cross generational from thirteen to sixty years younger. My goal with these types of books is to reach people who need that extra feel good in their lives.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Thank you for having me here and featuring my book on your blog!
ReplyDelete~ Author Kristen Collins